Is Wenger still the right man for Arsenal?

It is clearly evident that during recent months the red and white armoury has come under intense pressure, with many even questioning whether “Arsene Wenger is the right man for Arsenal Football Club?”.

A few years ago such a question would have been responded with laughter, yet today critics and many Arsenal fans find themselves pondering on the very thought of Arsenals greatest manager being replaced. Nobody can dispute the fact that Arsene has built a legacy, by taking an average mid-table team and transforming them into world class performers that truly know how to play the beautiful game. Moving on from the tough tackling days of George Graham, and the one nil wins followed by “boring boring Arsenal” chanting, Wenger has brought a sense of elegance and swagger to the club.

With those that once jeered now finding themselves mesmerised by the exquisite passing and free-flowing attacking flair of Arsenal Football Club. Arsenal’s growth in unique style and brand of football has not been an overnight achievement. The important thing to emphasis is that such success, as oppose to the likes of Jose Mourinho and Roberto Mancini, has been achieved with little resources.

Unlike Chelsea and Manchester City’s Billionaire owners investing Millions of pounds buying new talent, Arsenal have always chosen an alternate path, one that has involved the manager implementing his philosophical views of “creating talent as oppose to buying it”. A belief that the clubs modern day foundations have since been based on and an understanding shared throughout the hierarchy of the club.

The “miracle worker”, an alias once used to describe Arsene Wenger by former Vice Chairman David Dein, has managed to unearth gems in the form of Patrick Vieira and Theirry Henry, combined with bringing out the best in club veterans such as Dennis Bergkamp and Martin Keown. All whom featured in Arsenals 2003/2004 squad that went on complete the whole season unbeaten, a freight that was later to be dubbed the “Invincible Season”.

Arsenals other success under Wenger has included two more Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four Community Shields, and a host of runners up medals including 2005/2006 Champions League. In fact, under Wenger the club has never finished below fourth place and failed to qualify for Europe.

Arsene Wenger’s knowledge and economical background should also be noted. As well as impressively holding a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and Economics respectively, the French maestro along with his native language and English can in fact speak fluent Japanese. This is following a brief, yet trophy packed, spell in Japan’s domestic J-league where he coached Nagoya Grampus Eight. His shrewd business dealings in difficult financial times have resulted in huge dividends being paid, with profits well exceeding overheads.

Hence majority stakeholder Stan Kroenke’s recent public showing of support for his manager. Yet despite all this, the question still remains is “Arsene Wenger the right man for Arsenal Football Club?” The well-informed person will tell you that the facts speak for themselves.

Taranjit Singh Anand